Display card



May 19, 1970 T. DAVIDSON 3,512,636

DISPLAY GARD Filed Jan. 3l, 1969 2 Sheets- Sheet l- 1I /I I I//0 -.,.,..........-..........,.-............--.....J 22'* m .......::s 1.-..

KNEL LO. Flocns ATTORNEY May 19,1970 T. l... DAvlDsoN DISPLAY CARD Filed Jan. 31, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7' HUM/15 L. D V/SO/V Karel. Mij- Lacune Y ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,512,636 Patented May 19, 1970 3,512,636 DISPLAY CARD Thomas L. Davidson, San Rafael, Calif., assignor to Diamond International Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 31, 1969, Ser. No. 795,441 Int. Cl. B65d 73/00 U.S. Cl. 206-79 7 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A display or merchandising card on which small articles such as lipstick, chapstick, tubes, bottles, etc. can be readily secured to a sheet element by means of an integral, embracing strap formed as an integral loop portion and extending from an intermediate portion of the sheet after the strap has been pushed through an aperture in the sheet, the merchandising card lending itself to the application of advertising material and ready display.

This invention relates generally to packaging and more particularly to display cards and the like in which the card is not only suitable for display and effective merchandising of relatively small articles, but it is also relatively inexpensive and does not require extraneous mechanical fastening means, but incorporates an integral portion to provide a fastener.

In merchandising goods, particularly relatively small items, packaging is a significant element. Not only must the package be relatively inexpensive but the package should be attractive, accommodate graphics, adequately protect the goods and be readily stored and shipped. There has been a constant endeavor to produce more economical display cards and/or packages utilizing the same.

Some of the prior art display cards utilize supplemental fasteners and others require complex manipulation in order to adapt the goods to the card.

Briey, the present invention is directed to a display card which is inexpensive, is reinforced in areas subjected to strain, is readily manipulated to produce articleretaining portions and which is readily loaded with an article being packaged.

Primary objects of the present invention are to provide a display card readily accommodating printing and graphics thereon, affording substantially complete product visibility, incorporates an integral loop produced from a strap pushed through an aperture in the card, is substantially reinforced adjacent the aperture through which the strap is pushed, and which can be readily manufactured, assembled and loaded in a simple and expeditious manner, and in which the loop formed on the display cards can accommodate different sized articles of varying dimensions and Within the limits of the length of the strap for embracing the article being packaged.

These together with other and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawing illustrating exemplary embodiments of the invention, and in which:

FIG. l is a plan View of a blank from which one embodiment of the display card of the invention is produced;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the display card of the invention and which was produced from the blank of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section taken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the assembled card of FIG. 2 in relation to diagrammatically-shown, loopforming apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the manner in which an article-receiving loop is formed on the display carton;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 and illustrating the manner in which an article-receiving loop is completed at one side of the display card;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the display card illustrating by means of phantom lines an article retained in the loop formed in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan View of the display card looking down on the article-receiving loop;

IFIG. 8 is a section taken substantially on the plan of line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a blank from which another embodiment of the invention is produced;

FIG. lO is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 9 in its assembled article-receiving condition and illustrating by means of phantom lines an article secured in the loop of the display card;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of still another blank from which another embodiment of the invention is produced;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 11 in its assembled condition prior to having an articlereceiving loop formed;

FIG, 13 is a View similar to FIG. l2 showing the display card after an article-receiving loop has been formed;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of still another blank for producing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. l5 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 14 illustrating it in its assembled condition;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, enlarged plan view looking at the side of the display card opposite that shown in FIG. l5 and after an article-receiving loop has been formed; and

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken on the plane of lines 17-17 of FIG. 161 showing by means of phantom lines an article disposed in the article-receiving loop of the display card.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and lirst considering FIG. 1, an elongated blank produced from paperboard or the like is indicated generally at 10 and comprises a planar element including a first, preferably rectangular sheet portion 12 hingedly connected by a transverse score line 14 to a second sheet portion 16. Although the sheet portions 12 and 16 are disclosed as being rectanguler, these portions could assume other configurations such as oval, circular, silhouetted human form, etc.

The portions 12 and 16have formed therein apertures 18 and 20, respectively, which will overlie each other when a blank is assembled and provide means for hanging the display card and packaged article on a display rack, hook, or the like. Additionally, the portions 12 and 16 respectively include, preferably rectangular apertures 22 and 24 which will overlie each other when the blank is assembled. Althou-gh these apertures are shown to be rectangular, other congurations could be used within the teachings of this invention.

Sheet portion 12 has extending transversely in spaced relation from the hinge line 14, a glue ap 26 which is hingedly connected on a score line 28 to the sheet 12. Integral with the flap 26 and extending from an intermediate portion thereof, in longitudinal alignment with the apertures 22 and 24, is a strap 30 terminating in an enlarged abutment 32. The Width of the strap 30` is such that it will pass through the aperture 22 or 24 where as the head or abutment 32 has a width greater than the corresponding portion of apertures 22 and 24, and thus the strap, in the assembled display card, will not pass therethrough.

The strap 30, preferably, but not necessarily, includes 3 a plurality of transverse crease or score lines 34 facilitating bending of the strap along its length for a purpose subsequently to be described.

The blank is assembled in the following manner:

Adhesive is applied to the Hap 26 as indicated at 36, and an intermediate transverse strip of adhesive will be applied to the sheet portion 12 as indicated at 38. The side of the blank shown in FIG. 1 will be considered the inside of the display card, after the blank has been assembled. As indicated at I, after the adhesive 36 has been applied to the flap 26, the iiap 26, strap 30 and abutment 32 thereof will be folded in the direction indicated at I and will lie in juxtaposed relation on the inner surface of the sheet 12. When this is accomplished, the strap 34 will be in alignment and overlie the aperture 22; see FIG. 2, for example.

After the flap 26 and strap 30 have been folded onto the inner surface of the sheet portion 12, the next fold as indicated at 1I is accomplished wherein the sheet 16 will be adhesively engaged at the adhesive strip 38 thus covering the flap 26, the strap 30 and abutment 32. The sheet portions 12 and 16, as seen in FIGS. 3-5 and 8 for example, form an open pocket 40 in which the strap 30 and abutment 32 are free to move. It will be noted that aperture 24 is of a slightly greater width than the aperture 22. Accordingly, a small portion 42 of the inner surface of the sheet portion 12 will be exposed when the display card is assembled as illustrated in the manner shown in FIG. 2. This portion 42 Will provide a recessed Well with the excess portion of the aperture 24, for engaging a lip or the like of a lipstick tube, etc., after it has been positioned in a retaining-loop to subsequently be described.

The assembled display card of FIG. 2 will be positioned on a support surface S and the apertures 22 and 24 of the sheets 12 and 16, respectively, will be in alignment with a retaining plate P which will have an open slot or aperture A. A displacing linger F will move through an aperture A in the support S enga-ging the strap 30 and displacing it through the aperture 24 of sheet portion 16 to form an article-retaining loop 44; see FIG. 5. As this is accomplished, it will be noted that the head or abutment 32, together with the strap 30, will move in the pocket 40 until the abutment 32 is prevented from further movement by engagement with the relatively smaller dimensions of aperture 24.

After the loop 44 has been produced in the display card, the card may be loaded automatically or manually with an article L as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 6. The loop 44 will generally conform to the outer periphery of the article as indicated at 44', see FIGS. 6 and 8, and will frictionally retain the article L on the display carton. The score lines 34 on the strap will permit the loop to conform to the outer surface of the article.

The ap 26, when adhered to the inner surface of the sheet portion 12, will extend along the marginal portion of the aperture 22 and will reinforce the aperture and display card.

Although the flap 26 is disclosed as being adhesively secured to the sheet portion 12, and the sheet portion 16 is shown as being adhesively secured to the sheet portion 12, this adhesive securement, although desirable in the preferred embodiment, is not vital to the function of the invention, since the display card could function without such adhesive securement as Will be disclosed in the embodiments to be presently described.

Referring to FIG. 9, a display card blank is indicated generally at 100 and comprises at least one sheet portion or element 112 produced from any suitable material paperboard, laminated plastic, etc., and may be of any desired shape or form. The sheet 112 preferably has an intermediate aperture 118 therethrough to permit the display card to be hung on a display rack. Extending through an intermediate portion of the sheet portion 112 isa substantially rectangular aperture 122, slightly wider than the width of the strap to be ultimately pushed therethrough. Extending along a linear score or fold line 128 is a ap 126 to which an integral strap 130 is connected and the strap 130 terminates in an abutment 132. Although the abutments 32 and 132 are indicated as being at the terminal end of the straps 30 and 130, respectively, these abutments could be formed on an intermediate portion of the respective straps and still attain the desired function of forming an article-retaining loop.

The blank is assembled by folding the flap 126 onto the side of the sheet 112 opposite that shown in FIG. 9, whereafter the strap will be in alignment with the aperture 122 of the sheet. The display card is then in a condition to receive the article L after the strap 130 is forced through the aperture 122 to produce the article-receiving loop 144. In this embodiment, it will be observed, that although the iiap 126 extends along the fold line 128 and reinforces the display card, nevertheless, it is not adhesively secured to the sheet 122.

`.Referring to FIGS. 11-13, a blank substantially duplicating blank 100 is disclosed in these figures. To eliminate describing similar parts and functions of the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13, reference numerals corresponding to those used in FIGS. 9 and 10 will be applied to FIGS. 11-13. It will be observed, however, that in the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13, the side opposite that shown in FIGS. 9 and l0 is shown. In this embodiment, the ap 126 will have applied to the inner surface thereof adhesive 136 and will adheringly engage the inner surface of the sheet 112. Prior to the display card of FIGS. 11-13 being loaded with an article, the display card will be in an essentially fiat condition, facilitating packing in suitable cartons, etc. When the display card is to be loaded, the strap 130 will be pushed through the aperture 122 and an article will be telescopically received in the loop formed on the side of the display card opposite that seen in FIGS. 11-13. Although the abutment 132 may assume the condition shown in FIG. 13, for example, it can also fold iiat against the inner surface with the sheet 112 after an article-receiving loop has been produced.

Considering FIGS 14-17, another embodiment of the invention is produced from a blank indicated generally at 200, this blank comprises a sheet element 212 produced from any suitable material and having any suitable peripheral configuration. The sheet 212 has an .aperture or hole 218 to facilitate hanging the display card on a display rack and includes an elongated rectangular aperture 222 in one corner. Preferably, a strip of adhesive will |be applied to the sheet 212 substantially surrounding the aperture 222 on three sides as indicated at 236. Hingedly connected to the sheet 212. at fold line 228 is a flap 226 which is of a width to substantially overlie the aperture 222 as seen in FIG. 15. Produced integrally with the flap 226, by means of slits 225 .and 227 is an elongated strap 230 having an abutment 232. Alignable lwith the aperture 218 is a semicircular cut 220 formed in the edge of the flap 226 and this cut will align with the aperture 218 when the blank of FIG. 14 is .assembled as shown in FIG. l5.

The blank of FIG. 14 is assembled by folding the iiap 22.6 at the fold line 228 and adheringly securing it to the adjacent surface of the sheet 212 as clearly seen in FIG. 15. When this is accomplished, as seen in FIG. 16, a recessed well 242 is formed by the portion of the flap 226 exposed at the aperture 222. As illustrated in FIG. 17, after an article L is inserted in the loop 244' produced from the strap 230 pushed through aperture 222, the recess or well 242 will receive the projecting edge e of the article L. The abutment 232 Will be disposed in extending relationship from the surface of the sheet 212 or can be folded at thereagainst.

Briefly, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention fully conforming with the objects of the invention. In review, a display card has been provided in which no auxiliary fasteners such as staples, tape, plastic bands, etc. are required. The display card provides means whereby printing or graphics may be applied to both sides of the finished card, after the display card has been loaded with a product, substantially complete visibility of the product is afforded, the product is readily loaded onto the display card. No material other than the material from which the display card is produced comes in contact with the product in loading, packing and/or shipping, through the utilization of folding and reinforcing by folds, relatively light sheet material may be utilized, a product is permanently retained in position and is easily removed by the consumer after purchase, and the loop for retaining the product may be mechanically produced with relatively inexpensive equipment.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and therefore the invention s not limited to what is described in the specication.

What is claimed is:

1 In a combined display card and merchandise carer, at least one sheet of relatively still material comprising a planar display card, said sheet h-aving one aperture intermediately thereof, a flexible strap connected at one end to said sheet and extending over said aperture at one surface of said sheet, said strap being so dimensioned as to pass through said aperture, said strap including an abutment so dimensioned as to prohibit passage of said strap completely through said aperture, intermediate portions of said strap between its connection to said sheet and said abutment forming a loop at the side of said sheet opposite that to which the strap is connected, said sheet including a portion engaging said sheet at the side to which said strap is connected, said portion bordering a marginal edge of said aperture and reinforcing the card beneath the loop formed by said strap.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said portion comprises a ap hingedly connected to an edge portion of said sheet and extends along one margin of said sheet.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said strap is integral with said portion and is connected to an edge thereof.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said portion is laminated to said sheet, is hinged to one edge of said sheet and is folded onto the side of said sheet at which said strap is disposed, said laminated portion extending a distance from said one edge suiicient to cover said aperture, said strap being connected intermediately of said portion and underlying said aperture whereby said aperture is substantially reinforced about the major portion of its margin.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said portion is laminated along one edge of said sheet.

6. In a combined display card and merchandise carrier, at least one sheet of relatively stiff material comprising a planar display card, said sheet having one aperture intermediately thereof, a ilexible strap connected at one end to said sheet and extending over said aperture at one surface of said sheet, said strap being so dimensioned as to pass through said aperture, said strap including an abutment so dimensioned as to prohibit passage of said strap completely through said aperture, intermediate portions of said strap between its connectiton to said sheet and said abut-ment forming a loop at the side of said sheet opposite that to which the strap is connected, a second sheet secured to said one sheet at the side thereof at which said strap is disposed, said two sheets defining a pocket in which said strap and abutment are freely movable and are enclosed, said second sheet including an intermediate aperture in alignment with the aperture of said one sheet, said strap being exposed at said apertures for permitting a loop to be formed when the strap is pushed through the apertures.

7. In a combined display card and merchandise carrier, at least one sheet of relatively stii material comprising a planar display card, said sheet having one aperture intermediately thereof, a flexible strap connected at one end to said sheet -and extending over said aperture at one surface of said sheet, said strap being so dimensioned as to pass through said aperture, said strap including an abutment so dimensioned as to prohibit passage of said strap completely through said aperture, intermediate portions of said strap between its connection to said sheet and said abutment forming a loop at the side of said sheet opposite that to which the strap is connected, said strap including a plurality of transverse creases for facilitating longitudinal flexibility and movement through said aperture to form a loop.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,401,615 6/1946 Chittam 206--79 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 493,323 10/ 1938 Great Britain. 597,932 9/ 1925 France.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner J. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner 

